My experience at a Candlewood recently was nowhere near as grim as yours, but I agree that for the same or slightly more an HIX wins hands down (also twice the points as Candlewood is 5x). I needed a 5th brand for the Big Win, and this was the only realistic choice for my itinerary.

I found the staff, and upkeep, as nice as an actual HIX though. At checkout, the manager was shocked I had had to ask for my elite welcome points, insisting they should have been offered without my bringing up the subject. The joint was a tad ... sterile, but "prison-like" would be unfair for this Candlewood.

5x points and no housekeeping for the first 6 nights means I'd be leery of an extended stay there though.